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J-Mac Takes Aim At Back-to-Back Classics

Author : Premier Speedway Media

Leading into the 2017 Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic, James McFadden could have been forgiven for thinking that the Classic may just have been that one event that he couldn’t tick from his bucket list!

However, the two-time Australian Champion, hadn’t factored in that he would be joining arguably the most professional team in the land, when he inherited the coveted Monte Motorsport, Milwaukee Tools W17 from Kyle Hirst, a ride which has a rich tradition of Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic success.

Not only did McFadden add a third World Series Sprintcars Championship to his resume, backing up his previous triumphs from the 2011-12 and 2012-13 season, but he also ticked the Classic from his bucket list, giving Monte Motorsport team principal – Luch Monte – an amazing sixth win!

McFadden’s weekend was near perfect, he accumulated points in his heats and recorded a solid, if not spectacular fourth place finish in his Saturday night Qualifying A-Main.

Sunday was however his time to shine as he moved forward again in his final heat race of the weekend, a result that good enough to see him start the 40-lap Classic final from the front row, alongside great rival and friend Brooke Tatnell.

From there as they say the rest is history, with McFadden delivering over the ensuing forty laps to take home the $30,000.00 pay day, becoming a Classic Champion in the process.

Now McFadden, Luch Monte and Crew Chief Kim Buswell will take aim at the 2018 South West Conveyancing GASC as a part of what again will be a hectic tour of duty for the Milwaukee Tools W17.

Having already shown outstanding early season form since returning from the United States where he claimed an impressive career first World of Outlaws feature race win, at the famed Williams Grove Speedway on September 29 as a part of the National Open. McFadden’s drive was super impressive, leading home Greg Hodnett, Donny Schatz, Brad Sweet and Shane Stewart and collecting $10,000.00 along the way.

During our off-season James also very nearly righted some previous wrongs in his on-going love-hate relationship with the Knoxville Nationals!

This year it was defending Nationals Champion Jason Johnson and a mere 0.774 seconds that stood between McFadden and a coveted A-Main starting position. He would eventually qualify for the Saturday night B-Main.

For their 2018 tilt at the Classic, James and the Monte Motorsport team will again enjoyable the enviable backing of Milwaukee Tools Australia, while also enjoying the support of Aleabrax Systems, Daimler Trucks Perth, Kaeding Performance, Factory Kahne, KRE Race Engines, Performance Racegear and Allstar Performance.

Joining McFadden in the Classic field will be another of the 2017-18 World Series Sprintcars Contracted Drivers – Kevin Titman.

Hailing from Capalaba in Queensland, Titman impressed many with his strong qualifying night run in 2017, where he managed to qualify into the A-Main as a part of the Australia-America Challenge Cup.

From there he again performed strongly to eventually finish just shy of a transfer into the Classic finale, finishing 7th in B-Main 2 as a part of the Sunday night program.

In 2018 Titman, will be have his Classic tilt supported by KTM Australia, John Titman Racing, Maxwill Racing Engines, Millers Powder Coating, QTM Brakes and JTR Speedway Spares.A genuine rookie of the 2018 Classic will be Warrnambool based former Formula 500 driver Chris Heard.

Heard has enjoyed some mixed fortunes so far in his brief Sprintcar career, but come the Classic will have had some additional seat time under his belt.

South West Tools and Industrial, Grey Tradie Services, Monster Ignition, Cassign and Wurth will provide the support for Heard as he climbs into the cock-pit of the Meehan Race Engines powered Maxim.

The 2018 46th edition of the South West Conveyancing Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic will be supported by the following sponsors; Performance Racegear, KRE Race Engines, The Lady Bay Resort and KFC.

Copies of the 2018 South West Conveyancing Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic entry form have been forwarded to the 2017 entrants while a PDF version is available for download from the Premier Speedway website www.premierspeedway.com.au